World Cup 2014: 10 potential breakout stars

Paul Pogba

Age: 21

Country: France

Position: Midfield

Club: Juventus, Italy

Pogba's star is already on the rise based on his play in Serie A -- in 2013, Pogba was named the best under-21 player in Europe. If he helps France climb out of its international malaise, expect to see his face in not just a large number of commercials, but also underneath a headline announcing a massive transfer fee. France is in a relatively easy group with Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador. That should give the big, energetic attacking midfielder ample opportunity to put on a show.

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Bernard

Age: 21

Country: Brazil

Position: Winger

Club: Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine

Bernard Anicio Caldeira Duarte, a.k.a. just "Bernard," has been professionally playing in relative obscurity (and turmoil) in Ukraine, but only after stops in Italy's Serie A and Brazil’s top league, where he was tutored by soccer legend Ronaldinho. The performance of the diminutive winger (he’s 5-feet-5-inches tall) in several run-up matches to the World Cup was outstanding, giving him a well-earned place in the final 23-man roster despite almost absurd competition. He probably won't start, but if Bernard gets on the field, his speed, excellent one-on-one abilities, and intelligence could catapult him to international and, perhaps more importantly, national stardom.

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Mikkel Diskerud

Age: 23

Country: USA

Position: Midfield

Club: Rosenborg BK, Norway

"Mix," as he’s known, is the son of an Arizona woman, and despite being born and raised in Norway, he declared his loyalty to the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2010. He’s tearing it up in the Norwegian professional league, and has scored three goals in 19 appearances for Team USA. He may not start, but he will hit the field at some point in Brazil, and will be looked upon to provide a creative spark that, if there, could draw him wide international attention.

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Son Heung-Min

Age: 21

Country: South Korea

Position: Forward

Club: Bayer Leverkusen, Germany

Son was born to play soccer: his dad also played for the Korean national team. The lethal finisher who's strong off both feet and agile has already been rumored to be the target of English Premier League clubs and others. Based on his already excellent play in the Bundesliga, if Son puts on a show in Brazil as South Korea’s leading goal scorer, it'll be no surprise to see him wearing the jersey of one of the world’s top clubs in the next year or two.

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​Raheem Sterling

Age: 19

Country: England

Position: Winger

Club: Liverpool, England

Fans of the English Premier League are already very familiar with Sterling after his excellent play during Liverpool's incredible 2013-2014 season. The Jamaica-born, London-raised winger may not going to start, but that would just be because of his age. He is undeniably one of the most talented goal scorers for England. If the English are going to make it out of a tough group that includes Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy, they are in some way, at some point going to need his creativity and incredible motor. A fan favorite with his fearless running with the ball and constant attacking of opponents, the teenager's already high profile could hit new heights on the sport's biggest stage.

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​Mario Gotze

Age: 22

Country: Germany

Position: Midfield

Club: Bayern Munich, Germany

On a team loaded with talent, Gotze may be good enough to stand out -- Germany's two-time World Cup winner Franz Beckenbauer once called him "the German Messi." The attacking midfielder has the speed and creativity that Germany will need to fulfill their sky-high promise this World Cup, which some are picking them to win. If the Germans live up to expectations, it will have a lot to do with Gotze's play, which could turn him into a Messi-level superstar.

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​Christian Atsu

Age: 22

Country: Ghana

Position: Winger

Club: Vitesse, Holland (on loan from Chelsea, England)

The deceptively strong but short Atsu wants to prove to world power Chelsea they didn't make a mistake when they signed the until-then-unknown winger late last year. Ghana will welcome him playing to prove himself to make it out of this World Cup’s "Group of Death" with Germany, Portugal and the U.S. He is made in the mold of many African soccer players: fast and with incredible endurance. Sometimes the knock against him is that he's a one-trick pony who only knows how to attack down the sidelines. Brazil will be the perfect stage to show the world otherwise.

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​Koke

Age: 22

Country: Spain

Position: Midfield

Club: Atletico Madrid, Spain

After an outstanding performance by Koke during Atletico Madrid's title-winning season, many millions of dollars are likely to be attached to this attacking midfielder's name in the coming months. Now the man born Jorge Resurreccion Merodio will be playing for is a chance to be permanently associated with what could go down as the greatest national team soccer dynasty of all time, assuming Spain manages to repeat as World Cup champs. The Spanish won last time largely because of their other-worldly midfield play. Most of those now-legendary names in midfield are back for the 2014 World Cup, but Koke won’t stay on the bench for the duration of this tournament. He's simply too talented. Xavi Hernandez has named Koke as his successor, and Koke's chance to prove it is now.

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​Romelo Lukaku

Age: 21

Country: Belgium

Position: Striker

Club: Everton, England (on loan from Chelsea, England)

Belgium is the favorite dark-horse candidate to make a deep run in the 2014 World Cup because of their players' individual talents, and Lukaku is one of the emerging stars giving them hope. He has scored a bunch of goals for his national team and is in great form leading up to Brazil. Also, like Christian Atsu, he wants to prove that he belongs at Chelsea after they signed him for $16 million in 2011, even though he has spent the majority of time out on loan. Lukaku is a big target -- he's 6-feet-3-inches tall -- and Belgium’s opponents in their group -- Algeria, Russia and South Korea -- should give him plenty of opportunity to stand out on the world stage.

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​James Rodriguez

Age: 22

Country: Colombia

Position: Midfield

Club: Monaco, France

A classic South American No. 10, Rodriguez's talents were purchased for an eye-popping $61 million by the Principality of Monaco’s team last year. He therefore can't necessarily be called an unknown, but he has a ways to go before he can be called a household name. With Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan in Colombia's group, there is a good chance Rodriguez's team could make a deep run in Brazil. To do it, they're going to need his superlative ball skills, which some have compared to Colombian soccer legend Carlos Valderrama. The main difference, however, is that Valderrama was a mesmerizing possession player, whereas Rodriguez can explode from the center of the pitch and not just create but score goals. If he does that in the 2014 World Cup, he may not stay in Monaco for long.